Automatic gate for railway-crossings.



IR.G0LD5N. AUTOMATIC GATE IOR RAILWAY GROSSIIIGS. v`

APPLICATION 'FILED AUG'. 26,1911'. A A 350533591, Patents@ Feb. I3,1913. I MEETS-SHEET 1.

y J. R., www. AUTOMATIC GATE FOR EATLWAY CROSSNGS.

APPLICATION FILED A-UG. 26, 1911. L V

- Iante Feb. 18,' TMS.'

f 4 SHETs-SHBBT 2,

J. R. GOLDEN. AUTGMATIC GATE PoR RAILWAY CROSSINGS.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 26, 1911.

'1,053,591 Pecented Feb.1s,`1913.

.4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

gem www@ 1.11. GOLDEN. AUTOMATIC GATE POB. RAILWAY GROSSINGS.

APPLIOATION'IILBD AUG'. 2s, 1911. l

Patented' Feb. 18, 1913.

, 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Re '8 5F36' l i 40 .A 'f @El i 'o a 'fi 4 "I \m[ 303g U l W ad 2V 'f o:n D 4l g o 56' the crossing.

.and arrangements ot' of Fig. 4, Fig. 7 is a transverse section takenJOHN R. GOLDEN, or HAMMQND, INDIANA.

STATES tit UTOMATIC GATE FOR-RAILWAY-CROSSINGS.

n Specification of Letters Patent.

*Patented Feb. 18, 1913. V Application filed August 26, 1911. Serial No.646.092.

there being compressed air cylinders 3 and 4 and 4 leading thereto. cityof Hammond, county of Lake, and State is such that when compressed airis supplied 'otV Indiana, have invented certain ncw and to the pipe 4lha-l the piston in the cylinder useful ilmprovenients in AutomaticGat'esfor 3 Railway-Crossings, of which the following by means ofy theordinary fiexible transmisis a specification. y sion leading thereto.vWhen compressedair My. invention relates to iniprovcnients in issupplied to the pipe 4 the piston within automatic gates for railwaycrossings, and the cylinder 3 will be depressed, thus causing To all ifmay concern Be it known that I,- Joni'w R. (jroLDeN, a l citizen of the,United States, residing atthe has for its object the provision of anautothe gate l to be lowered into the normal pomaticaily controlled gatewhich is so de sition as shown in Fig. 1. By reference to signed andconstructed as to be operated Fig. Q the arrangement of the gate l; arail- `pneuma-tically-when a train passes over a waytrack Q, electricalswitch box 8m., electro controlling switch in the neighborhood ot'pneumatic gate controlling mechanism 4,

with said switch boxes, willvbc understood. The arrangement as shown inFig. 2 is pre tei-red, butif so desired an arrangement as shown in Fig.3 may be adopted which reduces `the number of 4operating parts.

Fach switch box 3 is provided with a longitudinally rdisposed switchshaft which is journaled in bearings 6 and 7 pro- My invention consistsin the combinations parts hereinafter described and claimed. y'

The invention will be best understood by reference to thc ,accompanyingdrawings toi-ming a pari of this specification and in which, l

Figure l is; a side elevation of a: railway gate employed in myinvention, Fig. 2 is a top plan view otl the preferred arrangement ofoperating parts of my invention, Fig. 2l is a modified arrangement oi.said operating parts, Fig. 4 is a horizontal section -showing anelectrical switch box, a railway rail being shown in top plan view, Fig.5 is a vertical section o-f-said switch box and rail, Fig. 6 is atransverse/section taken on the line andI One end of the shaft 5 isprovided with an operating lever 8 which is disposed adjacent a rail 2and adapted to be oscillated by contact with the tread of a railwaywheel. the direction of oscillation of the operating lever 8 dependingupon t-he direction ot movement of a train running upon the track 2. Ahub 9 is provided at the center ot oscillation ot the lever 8 and eitherrigidly secured to or t'ormed integral with the shat't 5 so as to rotatewith the latter. A collar 10 -is secured to the shaftI 5 in sucha manneras to prevent the same from longitudinal movement. Suspended from the lshaft 5 and rigidly .secured thereto by means (rta screw 11 is aweight'lQ which noron a line 'Le/--y/ of Fig. `4, Fig. 8 is 4atransverse section taken on a line z-z'of Fig. 4, Fig. 9 is a sectiontaken on a line @f4-z of Fig. 4, Fig. 10 is a side elevation vof the.gate controlling mechanism and showing the electrical connectionsthereof with the controlling switch, Fig. 11- isa side elevation of themain parts vof said gate'controlling mechanism, Fig. 12 is a top planview of said last named parts, Fig. 13 is an enlarged detailedl providedwith an arm 13 which is disposed side elevation showing a valve employedin= Vparallel with the extended axis of saidsha'ft the mechanism inclosed position, Fig. 14 is but spaced apart therefrom as clearly illusaview similar to Fig. 13 Abutl showing said tra-ted in Fig. 5. Y To theinner side of the valve in open position, Figs. lz'fand 16 aretransverse sectional views of parts shown in 13 and 14 respectively,and=Fig. 17 is l i blades 15" which airev adapted to coperate 4anenlarged longitudinal vertical section of ing knife switches, 'saidmembers extending a cylinder employed in said mechanism.

The preferred form of vconstruction as illustrated in the :accompanyingvdrtnvings comprises an ordinary 'gate 1 which is mounted on a frame 2'and pneunratically as illustrated in Fig. 8. From-this construe'- tionit is clear that when the arm 8 is os- -c'illiated ynfone ldirec-tionthat the arm 13 will-'contact with one pair ot members, 16,

The construction.

and the electric connections of the latter with pairs of curved members16 -for form-Y upwardly f-rom an insulating base plate-17 l vided insaid box asillustrated in Figs. 4

arm 1.3 is secured a member 14 'carrying and when oscillated in theother direction Will contact with the other pair, the elec tricalcircuits m connection with said members being thus closed by theoscillation oic the arnn8. The `*function of the Weight 12 is tomaintain the blades 15 normally out ot engagement ivith the members 1G,the normal position ot said Weight corresponding with the vertical orinoperative position oi the arm S. W hen the Y. parts are -in this`position neither of the circuits terminating in the members 16 areclosed. Assuming 'thatthe arm `8 is oscillatedas shown in Fig. ll due tothe Wheels of a passing train, then one ot the electrical circuits willbe closed in .a manner as aforesaid. llt then becomes necessary to lockthe shaft 5 in position a suiiicient time for the operation of the gate'controlling mechanism in the box 4c". ln 'order to `accomplish this apair of electro- `magnets18 are disposed diametrically opposite relativeto the shaft 5 which is the armature of lsaid magnets.v Upon the closingof either circuit one of the electro-mag` 'nets 18 Will. beenergized'and drawn toward its armature or shaft, thus causing a frictional locking means as illustrated in Fig. 6. rThe shaft 5 will remainimmovable until thecircuit is broken which is eliected in the box 1f asWill be hereinafter described. After the-circuit is broken thefriotional engagement ott the' magnet 18 with the shaft 5 will bereleased, whereupon said shat will return to the normal position by theaction ,of the Weight 12.! The magnets'l are supported by means ofliexible standards 19 which permit of va slight movement to and `fromthe shaft 5 for making and breaking the locking engagement.

The electricall circuits 2O and 21 connect4 a switch 3 with a gatecontrolling mechanism contained in a box 4;, the Wiring diagram beingillustrated in Fig. 2. 'Relier` ring to Fig. 10J-the manner in 1Whichthe circuits 2O and 271 enter the box 4 is clearly shown, terminals 22and 23vbeing provided on a yswitch board 24: for said circuitsrespectively. A `terminal 25 is also provided onthe4 sWitch-board 24from Which Wires 26 extend to an electric motor 27. Pivotally connectedto the inner end of the terminal 25 is ari-oscillatory switch lever 28which is adapted to close either the circuit 2 0 or '21, the formerbeingclosed as illustrated in Fig. 10. By reference to Fig. 12 an insu lator29 is shown which separates the tvvo arms of the switch lever 28, thus'preventing the passage of an electric current therebetween. lWhen thecircuit 20 is closed as illustrated in Fig. 10 the arms ot the lever 28rest in sockets 30 which are provided at theirmer extremities of theterminals 20, these sockets providing positive electrical ,connectionsFrom this .construction it is seen that when the switch lever 28 isoscilcuit 21 by engagement with .31 of the terminal parent that.

l there-through.

lated to a vertical position tliat the same Will openy the circuit 20and close the cirthe inner end The electric motor 27 will be Yfurnishedcurrent and run in the ftion When the lever 28 rests in the socket 30 or'contacts With the terminal 31, supposing the corresponcing circuit tobe closed. y

From Vthe foregoing description it is When the arm 8 is -oscillate onedirectionv by means oi the wheels o moving train that either the circuit2O or 2l Will be closed and Cause the electric motor 27 to operate. finair compressor 32 is geared to the electric motor '27 so as to runsimultaneously therewitln 'this construction being illustrated in Fig.10. eration oii the air compressor 32 compressed air is produced in thepipes and s leading therefrom to mechanism which Will be presentlydescribed. incorporated in the pipe et is a valve and in the pipe il" asimilar valve 36, the general arrangement or these valves being shown in12. yThe pipes a and 4 are connected to a CylinderB by means of pipes 35and 37 respectiyely, there beingl valves 58 provided in these pipes forregulating t-he orair By reference to Fig.-1-it will be obserrefL thatthe pipe el leads to the cylinder B, consequently yWhen air is sup`plied to said pipe lthe gate 1 will be loW- ered, air Within thecylinder 3 acting on the piston thereof as aforesaid. ln like mannerwhen the pipe 4l is charged with compressed air the gate Will be raised.

The valve controlling mechanism comprises a valve lever 36 and a valvelever 36', which are connected by means of a rigid crank-pin Extendingupwardly from the crank pin 39 is an arm L10 Which is adapted totransmit mot-ion to the switch lever 28 by means of a connecting rod 4l.The crank pin 39 is adapted to'oscillate the valve arms 36 and 36 foreecting the opening and closing of the valves and 36. rlhe crank pin 39is actuated by means ot a connecting rod a2 which extends from saidcrank pin to a piston 43 operating in the cylinder 35". rthis piston islimited in its reciprocation by means of Ascrews let which are tappedinto the heads of the cylinder 35, this construction being illust-ratedin Fig. 17. v.Clamped-to the pipe 4t is a small cylinder L15y thegeneral disposition of which is illustrated Vin Fig. 12. The bore 16 oit'this `cylinder is arranged in communicatior During the op negaba;

as shown in Fig, llby means ,of a compression helical spring 50surrounding the stem l of the piston 49. Pivoted to an open end of thecylinder 45 is a downwardly extending arm 52, there beingjan opening 53provided in saidarm which is adapted to register with the free end ofthe stem 51 when said arm is in vertical position as illustrated in Fig.14.' llhen the arm 52 is inclined to the vertical as shown in Fig. 13,the stern 51 is Anot permitted topass through vthe open- 1ng'53, theinterference to such movement` being clearly shown. Extending from thelower end of the arm 52 toa depending arm A with the valve arm 36 5 4is' an adjustable connect-ing rod 55, said arm 54 being arranged inrigid connection and adapted to. oscillate therewith' in an oppositedircti'on; lVhile the arm 54 is rigidly secured to the valve arm orlever 36 an adjustable'connection 5Gis'provided in order to attain theproper coperation of the parts.

The operation for opening and closing the gates is as follows: Assumingthat the arm 8 has been moved to an inclined position as shown inFig. 7by the passage of a train thereover, then the circuit 20 will be closedas will be clear by reference to Figs. 4 and 7. Simultaneously With thisoperation the motor 27 will begin to run,

l through the terminals 23 and socket 30 as illustrated in Fig. 10.Compressed air will now l.be produced in the pipes 4 and 4 by thefaction of the air compressor 32. l/Vit-h the position of the loperatingparts as shown in the several views the valve 35 is open and permits thefree How of compressed air there-through and thence through the pipe 4for lowering the gate 1, it being understood that this is the rstoperation of the -gate after the arm 8 has been oscillated. A part ofthe compressed air flowing through the pipe 4 is diverted to t-he pipe36 and `lthence to the cylinder 35, the-amount of air thus divertedbeing controlled-byv the regulating valve 38. The air thusadmitted intothe cylinder 35 forces the piston 43 therein from the position shown inFig. 17,'

one of the screws 44 limiting the movement of said piston as aforesaid.`This action ofthe piston 43 moves the crank pin 39 and the valve levers36 and 36 in such a manner as to close the valve 35 and to open thevalve 36. Consequently the compressed air Will cease flowing through thepipe 4 and to the cylinder 3, 1t being assumed that sulicient air hasbeen introduced into the cylinder 3 for the lowering of the gate 1,.Simultaneously with the closing of the valve the switch lever 2 8 ismoved out of engagement with the .Socket 30 and into engagement with theterminal 3.1. The circuit-1S thus broken which causes theelectro-magnets l to be, magnetized whereupon the shaft .5 will besclllat'el t6 its normal or neutral position compressed air within thethe current passing .Y

Vthat cylinder below that fluently,

.by Ameans of the weight l2. The gate 1 will remain nlthclowermostposition as shown ,Fi-g. 1 unt'ilthe tra-in passes over asecond arin 8 which iS adapted to close the ciruitZl.. f

As above described, the switch lever 23 hasbeen moved into contact withthe terininal 3l, consequently when the circuit 21 is closed the motorwill begin to operate as before. The compressed air from the-compresso-rwill now Howthrough the pipe 4', valve 36 and .thence to the-cylinder3',

of the plston in said cylinder. After the last described ope-ration iscompleted the pipes 4 and cylinder'3wvill have time to leak out sutfi".whereupon the gate 1 is raised by the action ciently to reduce thepressure therein to atmospheric pressure.

betweenthe lowermfr and raismo of the A D e gate 1 1s very short,consequently 1t is nee- Bnt the time elapsed essa-ry to provide 1means'for the escape of the compressed air in the pipes 4 after the gate l islowered, it heilig' clear that if `a pressure remains -in the cylinder 3that' the introduction of compressed air into the cylinder 3 forraisingthe gate would be'. counterbalanced. To this end the cylinder 45 isprovided. lVhen th'e switch lever 2S has been moved into Contact withthe terminal 31 the arm' neously into the vertical positlon as shown inFig. 14, thus causing the registration of the opening 53 with the piston'stem 51. The compressed airwithin the pipe 4 will now act upon thepiston 49 and cause the same to assume the position as shown in Flg. 16,the stem 51 of said piston passing through the opemng 53 wlthoutinterference. This action of the piston 49 uncovers the exhaust port- 48whereupon the com.- pressed air 1s exhausted. The pressure within vthepipe 4 being now reduced to atmospheric pressure there will be noresistance to the action of the piston in the cylinder 3 for raising thegate l when this operation occurs.

I have found that the high pressure sup-' 52 is moved simnlta-' ingconstantly .hinged .to the inner ends 0f, i

the terminals orb-infime; por-fs 25, ,Gonz-e.- when pos- 1t-ionedl 'asvin Fig. l0, com.-

plete the circuit through 20, while an upward movement of levers '28will br'ea'l this circuit and complete 'die circuit through 21by-contactin'g--With th 'oclzets 3l. A gate closing and ning mechanismas set-forth is simple ort construction, and reliable in operation.

'llheA arrangement adapted for use iii cities close together, and it isgate ahead at the same ti ie a be .is open. To this end a. switch 52 :isranged between the tiro ,D ed with circuits QOKand 'tor each gatecontrolling mechanism. this arrangement, when .the central switch 3" ope'ated to open one gate, it will also close the other.

llhile. l have illustrated and described the preferred form otconstructiontorcarrying my invention into efect,`the same is capa.- bleof variation and modilicat-ion without departingfrom the spirito't theinvention. l therefore do not wish to be coni'ined to the exact detailsof construction as set forth,

modifications as fall With/in the scope of the appended claims. l Y

Having described my invention, what li claim as new and desirel tosecure by Letcar kWheel to produce oscillation thereof,

means on said shaft for maintaining .the same in a medial' neutralposition, a pair o electro-magnets arranged adjacent said shait andadaptedto hold the same in an oscil-y lated position, a pair ot electriccircuits adapted to be opened or closed by the oscillation of saidshaft, said electro-magnets being in said circuit, a gate operatingmechanism comprising an electric motor, means for switching said mftorinto 'either one of'said circuits, an air compressor geared to saidmotor and adapted to supply compressed air, an oscillator'` `gatemember, a pair of tion according to the circuit: in ivhich said motor isplaced, compressed air pipes leading from saidv air compressor to saidpneumatic cylinders, and valves arranged in said pipes tor controllingthe distribution of compressed air therein, substantially as de-vscribed.r

.2. ln an automatic gate for railway cross ings, the combina-tionv ofarailway track, an oscillatoryl gate meiiiber,a pali-'foffpneiimat-ically operated: cylinders )j adapted to operate saidmember-in either direction, an

ar-A O'rites and connect:

butl desire to avail myself ot such variations andtorme'd iiipneumaticcylinders adapted to` 'operate said gate member in eitherdirec electricswitch `comprising an oscillatory shaft arranged adjacent said railwaytrack, there beiiig'an arm onions end of said shaft capable of tion.according to the direction oit moyement ot a ltrainen said' track, saidarm being ings for said sha-'tt incorporated in said switch, a weightsecured tosaid shaft and adapted to maintain the same-in aneutr'al orintermediate position, nets adapted to hold s aidvslia-ttin anoscillated position when energized by a current passii'ig there-through,a pair of electric circuits leading Jfrom said switch, saidelectro-niagoscillated, thefcirci'iit which is, closed or opened beingdetermined by the direction of movement ot the train on said-track, agate ,controlling mechanism comprising an electric'motor arranged so asto lie-'placed in either of said circuits, an air compressor driven bysaid', electric motorI .and adapted to supply compressed 'airitor theoperation of said pneumatic cylinders,- and means for diyertingintroduced to oneo't said'-piieiimatic `cylinders Jfor 'opening a switchin' the circuit in v hicli said motor is temporarilyplaced,substantially as described. f" l In an automatic gate for railwaycrossings, the combination With a railway track, of an elect-ric switcharranged adjacent said track and comprising an oscillatory shaft adaptedto be operated by the Wheels of a -train passing over said track, thedirection of oscillation oit saidshaft 'depending upon the direction otmovement of said train, a pair of electric circuits adapted to be closedbeing open When said shaft is in au intcr mediate-or neutralvposition, aIweight mounted on said shaft tor normally maintaining the samein saidneut'al position, a pair ct' electro-magnets arranged in operativeconnection with said shaft and adapted to automatically hold the sameinany oscillated position thereof, a gate controllingmechanismcoinprisingf an electric motor,

of said circuits, an ai'rcompressoi geared to said motor and adapted toffeneratc compressed'tair, an oscillatory gate member, a pair ofpneumatic cylinders tor oscillatling said member, means for furnishingcom- 5 which said motor is placed after the d'eliveriv of suliicient'air to one of said pneumatic one direction,substaiitiallyfasrdescribed.

ngs, itlie combination' with a railway track,

a' pair ot electroanag.

nets being iirs'aid circuits, said shaft being l adapted to open orclose either 4circuit when a portion ot the compressed air` by theoscillation of'said shaft, each 'circuitp/ressed air to said cylindersalternately trom said compressed'air supply, and meansl forautomatically opening the -circuit in j cylinders -foroperat-ing saidgate member in 4. In an automatic gate foi'jrailivay cross-"-beingoscillated' in either. direc- A,

oscillated'rby the -Wheelso'f said train, hearf.

lio

means for placing said motor in either one of an electric switcharranged adjacent said track. and adapted to be operated by the wheelsof trains passing thereover, a pair of circuit-s leading from saidswitch and adapt-' ed to be opened or closed by theoperation thereof, agate controlling mechanism coniprising an electric motor, means forplacing said motor in either one of said circuits, an air compressorgeared to said motor and adapted to supply compressed air, anoscillatory gate member, a pair of pneumatic cylinders one of which isadapted to oscillate said member in `one direction and the othercylinder to operate the same in the other directiom a pair of pipesleading from said air compressor to said pair of cylinders, andpneumatic means for switching saidmotor into the other ci'rcuit whensutlicient air has been delivered to one ot' said pneumatic cylindersfor operating said gate in one direction, subs antially as described.

5. ln an automatic gate for railway crossings,'the combination with arailway track ot' an electric switch arranged adjacent. said track andadapted to be operated by the wheels of trains passing` thereover, apair of ,electric circuitsleading from said switch and adapted to beopened or closed thereby,

one circuit being closed when a train is passing in one direction andvthe other circuit being closed when -a train 'is passing inv the otherdirection, a gate controlling mechanism comprisingA an electric motor,means for placing said motor in either one of'saidcircylinder foroscillating saidgate member in the other directioman air compressor,pipes vlea-ding from said air compressor to said pneumatic cylinders,valvesffo-r shutting otl:1

theair in one of said pipes when vcompressed airis flowing through theother, ua switchv cylinder' arranged in 'piped connection with saidcompressed air ,pipes and adapted to' receive ar portion of thecompressed air flow- 'ing there-through, a piston operating' in saidswitch cylinder and adapt-ed to control the vshut-off valves in saidcompressed air'pipes,`

an electric motor, a switch in combination with a railway trackv andadapted to be operated by trains passing thereover, a. pair of circuitsleading from said switch, means forl placing said motor 1n either one ofsaid cir-j. cuits,and means cooperating with said valyes for breaking aAcircuit infwhicli said `motor is placed, substantially as described.

- 7. In an automatic gate forrailuuiy crossings, an oscillatory gatemember, a pneumatic cylinder adapted to oscillate said member in onedirection, a second pneumatic cylinder for, oscillating said gate memberin the other direction, an air compressor, pipes leading from said aircompressor to said pneumatic cylinders,yalres for shutting oft' the `airin one of'said pipes when compressed. air is iowing through the other, aswitch cylinder arranged in piped connection with said compressed airpipes and adapted to receive a portion ot' the compressed air-Howingthere-through, a piston operating in said cuits, means torsupplyingelectrical energy to said circuits, au air compressor geared to .saidmotor and adapted to Aoperate synchronously therewith, an oscillatorygate member, a pneumatic cylinder adapted'to lower 5 said gate, a:second pneumatic cylinder adapted to raise said gate, compressed airpipes lleading from said air compressor to said cylinders for supplyingoperative fluid thereto, a switch cylinder, means for diverting aport-ion of the compressed air being delivered to one 'of said pneumaticcylinders to said switch cylinder, and means coperating with said switchcylinder for breaking the 'circuit in which said motor is placed,substantially as described.

6. In an automatic 0'fate t'or railwa 'I cioss- 2 ings, an oscillatorylgate member, a pneumatic cylinder adapted to oscil-late said inernber inone direction, a second pneumatic switch cylinder and adapted to contrclthe shut-olf valves in said compressedair pipes,

`aii electricmotor, a switch in combination' with a railway track andadapted to be operated by trains passing thei'eover, a pair of .circuitsleading from said switch, means

